News

Solar Park to Share with Sheep Farm

WALES - A solar farm could be created on a sheep farm in the Gwynedd countryside.

The project at Boduan near Pwllheli on the Llyn peninsula is to be explained to residents at an open evening.

Lightsource said it hopes to generate enough energy to power 2,800 homes with the 39,000 panel solar farm on 50 acres of land at Tyddyn Cae farm.

It said it wants to hear back from the community before it submits plans to Gwynedd council at the end of the month.

Developers say the panels would have a maximum height of 2.5m, while hedgerows, shrubs and trees would be planted to encourage wildlife.

"It is still early days for the proposals, which is why we are keen for local businesses, residents and wildlife enthusiasts to help shape these plans," said Conor McGuigan, planning and development director at Lightsource.

It hopes to have a decision by late November.

Some of the details of the solar park include:

• The carbon saving will be the equivalent of emissions produced by nearly 1,100 cars• All new cabling will be buried underground so there will be no new overhead lines.• The developer said there would not be any noise beyond the site boundary, no floodlighting and a 2m-high fence would be "appropriate" to the rural setting.• Mammal gates in the fencing would allow small animals to move freely across the site undisturbed• The solar panels do not require direct sunlight to produce electricity, only daylight.